Clutch throw-out bearing plate

Abstract

In a vehicle clutch construction, a flat plate ring is interposed between the clutch throw-out bearing and clutch release fingers and maintained concentric with the throw-out bearing by a flexible connection with the clutch release fingers.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a vehicle clutch assembly having a flywheel and a clutch pressure plate movable toward and away from the flywheel by a plurality of radially inwardly projecting clutch release fingers, a transmission input shaft connecting the clutch pressure plate with a transmission and having a clutch throw-out bearing coaxially mounted on the shaft and movable toward and away from the inwardly directed end portions of said clutch release fingers, the improvement comprising: a generally cylindrical centrally bored bearing plate supported by said clutch release fingers and comprising a sleeve having an outstanding flange at one end diametrically substantially equal with the diameter of said throw-out bearing and having external threads adjacent its other end loosely   surrounding said transmission input shaft and interposed between said throw-out bearing and said clutch pressure plate with the flange contacting the end portion surface of said clutch release fingers opposite said throw-out bearing;   a ring diametrically equal with said flange threadedly engaged with said sleeve, said ring having a plurality of equally spaced radially disposed recesses formed in its surface facing said flange forming, in combination with said sleeve and said flange, a like plurality of radially open sockets nesting the adjacent end portion of the respective said clutch release finger; and,   at lease one bolt extending through said ring and said flange for preventing angular rotation of said ring relative to said sleeve.